Odisha FC are hoping to carry the momentum of their stunning comeback against East Bengal when they face Chennaiyin FC at Kalinga Stadium.
Trailing by two goals at half-time, the Juggernauts made a feast of the second half to win 4-2 against the Kolkata giants whereas Marina Machans return to winning ways by ousting Jamshedpur FC 3-1.
OFC vs CFC Match Details
Date: Thursday, 24 November 2022
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar
OFC vs CFC Match Preview
Odisha FC were heading at consecutive defeats in the ISL when Semboi Haokip and Naorem Mahesh Singh struck within 12 minutes of each other. The Juggernauts looked very much the second-best in the first half but Josep Gombau worked wonders with his substitutions after the break. Nikhil Prabhu stepped in to solidify the defense while Pedro Martin scored a quick-fire brace within three minutes after coming on to draw level in the match. Another substitute, Jerry followed by finishing off his chance in the 65th minute before Nanda Sekar made the points safe with his second strike of the season. Gombau will be more than pleased with the manner the team responded and scored more than two goals for the first time since the opening match. That time also Odisha FC turnaround a 2-0 deficit. Against Kerala Blasters last month, the same pattern followed but the manager will wish the team not to make a habit of it as the season progresses. The win at the Saltlake Stadium puts them fifth on the table with four points away from the top spot. Odisha FC are in the mood to build on the win against Chennaiyin FC in the next game and end this month on a high. However, the Juggernauts have managed only one win against the Marina Machans in six meetings. Josep Gombau’s men will want that record to not disturb them on Wednesday as they want to maintain their winning streak at home.
Chennaiyin FC bounced back from their 6-2 mauling in the hands of Mumbai City FC in style. The Marina Machans claimed a 3-1 win over Jamshedpur FC through goals from Petar Sliskovic and substitute Vincy Barretto and El Khayati coming off the bench to cancel out Ishan Pandita’s leveler in the 76th minute. Thomas Brdaric had key members missing from the squad for the game played last weekend including skipper Anirudh Thapa but it mattered little. Chennaiyin FC managed to put more shots on target earning the result out of it and did not below their heads after their 27th-minute lead was lost 14 minutes before time. It was an important statement to make after a heavy defeat. Marina Machans should gain enough confidence and belief in themselves now to pull themselves up to the playoff places. They travel to Bhubaneswar to face Odisha FC in the next game with their away form staying at two wins and a defeat. Apart from the loss to the Islanders and FC Goa, Chennaiyin FC have been solid but it is the sharpness to the scoring edge that is helping the side. Having a great record against the Juggernauts is an advantage where they have picked up two draws and two wins since 2019. The last meeting at Kalinga Stadium though fell in Odisha FC’s favor as they won 2-0 back in 2020. This game promises to bring up spices with both teams returning to winning ways and will give everything to prevent a slip-off on Thursday.
Recent Form
OFC: WLWWL
CFC: WLWLD
OFC vs CFC Team News
Odisha FC have a few niggles in the squad with Jerry Mawihmingthanga the key player set to miss the clash. He played the game against East Bengal despite carrying an injury issue. Pedro Martin scored twice in the turnaround victory last weekend making an impact as a substitute again. He has now gained his manager’s promise to earn a start although Jerry’s absence plays a factor.
Chennaiyin FC will miss the service of captain Anirudh Thapa as he battles the injury problem that kept him out from the win against Jamshedpur FC as well. Jiteshwor Singh is also unavailable in midfield meaning 18-year-old Sajal Bag keeps his place in the starting lineup. Vincy Barretto should also get a nod up front after making a huge impact off the bench in the last game.
OFC vs CFC Predicted Lineups
OFC: Amrinder Singh; Denechandra Meitei, Nikil Prabhu, Carlos Delgado, Sahil Panwar; Raynier Fernandes, Saul Crespo, Thoiba Singh; Nandhakumar Sekar, Diego Mauricio, Pedro Martin
CFC: Debjit Majumder (GK); Ajith Kumar, Vafa Hakhamaneshi Fallou Diagne, Aakash Sangwan; Prasanth, Julius Duker, Sajal Bag, Sourav Das; Vincy Barretto, Petar Sliskovic
OFC vs CFC Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Amrinder (8.5)
DEF: Ajith (8), Diagne (8.5), Delgado (9), Panwar (8.5)
MID: Prasanth (9), Duker (8.5), Crespo (8), Sekar (8)
FW: Martin (7), Sliskovic (8)
Vice-captain: Nanda Sekar
Captain: Petar Sliskovic
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